Federica Mogherini To Opposition Leaders: I Share Your Assessment Of Situation In Belarus

The EU High for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has answered the letter of Andrei Sannikov, Ales Bialiatski and Mikalai Statkevich.

Federica Mogherini has stressed that she shares the overall assessment of the Belarusian human rights situation, as it was presented by the authors of the letter. charter97.org has been reported about that by the leader of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Andrei Sannikov.

“I share your overall assessment of the Belarusian human rights situation, – Federica Mogherini said. – Most importantly, the remaining political prisoners, including you, were released in August. Over the past almost five years this release and the re-instatement of civil and political rights was the main EU demand towards the Belarusian authorities. I am fully aware of the situation that you face, along with other political prisoners whose civil and political rights have not been re-introduced. We will continue consistently to raise this issue with the Belarusian authorities.

As said by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, human rights, democracy, rule of law and freedom of expression are an intrinsic part of the EU’s engagement in the talks with the Belarusian authorities. She promised to continue closely monitor the situation in our country.

“The EU will continue to provide strong civil society support, – the letter reads. – The EU has provided a strong response to Belarus’ overture and expects from Belarus that it demonstrates respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

We remind that in their address, sent to the leaders of the European Union before the “presidential elections”, Belarusian politicians offered to keep in force the sanctions against the official Minsk.